Continuing the Journey: Transforming Practice in KS1
Early Excellence is delighted to announce a unique and inspiring National Conference exploring leadership and practice in KS1.
Learning in the Early Years is active, play-based, and hands-on — centred around the child and their first-hand experiences. In contrast, learning in KS1 can often look and feel very different. These differences are seen not only in the learning environments but also in the pedagogy and approaches teachers use.
In recent years, however, an increasing number of schools have embarked on a journey of transformation — reviewing, reshaping, and reimagining their KS1 provision. They have developed a clear vision for change and brought that to life, creating rich and impactful learning experiences for children. These journeys are powerful, inspiring, and worth celebrating.
This conference will shine a light on those stories — celebrating innovation, supporting those just beginning their journey of change, and providing fresh insights and inspiration for schools already using continuous provision as a pedagogical approach.
Date & Venue
Tuesday 24 March 2026
- Arrive: 9:00 am
- Conference starts: 9:15 am
- Conference closes: 4:15 pm
DoubleTree by Hilton Swindon,
Lydiard Fields,
Great Western Way, Swindon
SN5 8UB
Early Bird Price
£175.00 (exc. VAT) per person
Early Bird offer available for bookings made before 31 January 2026.
Standard Price – £195.00 (exc. VAT) per person
Keynote Speaker:
Professor Julie Fisher
Guiding us through the day will be Professor Julie Fisher, author of Moving On to KS1 and a passionate advocate for raising the quality of educational experiences for all children.
Julie will share her extensive research and expertise on rethinking practice and provision, highlighting why change in KS1 is both necessary and transformative.
Workshops and Case Studies
Alongside our keynote, delegates will hear from teachers and school leaders who have successfully transformed their KS1 practice.
You’ll be able to choose from a range of practical and inspiring workshops showcasing examples of effective pedagogy, leadership in action, and the sustained impact these changes have had on children’s learning and wellbeing.
Workshop Sessions
Session 1 – Choose one
- Workshop A – Play Beyond EYFS: A Journey to Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- Workshop B – Continuous Provision from Reception to KS1: A Head’s Perspective
- Workshop C – Moving Beyond Transition to a Long-Term Playful Approach
- Workshop D – Play with Purpose: The Power of Continuous Provision in KS1
Session 2 – Choose one
- Workshop A – Play Beyond EYFS: A Journey to Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- Workshop C – Moving Beyond Transition to a Long-Term Playful Approach
- Workshop E – Continuous Provision from Reception to KS1: The Practicalities
- Workshop F – Embedding Play in Key Stage 1
Session 3 – Choose one
- Workshop B – Continuous Provision from Reception to KS1: A Head’s Perspective
- Workshop D – Play with Purpose: The Power of Continuous Provision in KS1
- Workshop E – Continuous Provision from Reception to KS1: The Practicalities
- Workshop F – Embedding Play in Key Stage 1
Conference Agenda
| 9:00 AM | Arrival, registration, coffee & pastries |
| 9:15 AM | Welcome from Phil Armstrong |
| 9:15 AM | Keynote 1 with Julie Fisher |
| 10:45 AM | Coffee break |
| 11:00 AM | Keynote 2 with Tina Farr |
| 11:45 AM | Workshop Session 1 |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch |
| 1:15 PM | Learning Walk with Nova Robinson |
| 1:45 PM | Workshop Session 2 |
| 2:30 PM | Workshop Session 3 |
| 3:15 PM | Coffee & cake |
| 3:30 PM | Panel discussion |
| 4:00 PM | Close |
Workshops
Workshop A
Play Beyond EYFS: A Journey to Developmentally Appropriate Practice
In this workshop, we will explore our journey in establishing developmentally appropriate practice in Year 1. We will share how we built a professional network, visited other settings, and deepened our understanding of the theory underpinning this approach. We will explain how we lead this work and provide practical examples from daily classroom practice. Participants will gain insight into strategies that support children’s learning and play while sustaining developmentally appropriate practice beyond the EYFS.
Kate Brennan, Tanya Shah & Louise Bridge
AHTs for EYFS and Year 1 & DHT, Sandringham Primary School
Workshop B
Continuous Provision Throughout Reception and Key Stage 1 – A Head’s Perspective
Research tells us that young children learn best through play, which is why continuous provision has been embedded from Reception to Year 2. This workshop explores how children are given time to think and explore within a culture that promotes well-being and high levels of engagement. It will share how an exciting, creative, and purposeful curriculum uses carefully selected open-ended resources to consolidate skills, knowledge, and understanding across the curriculum.
Jude Arkwright
Headteacher, St Michael’s CE VA Primary School
Workshop C
Moving Beyond Transition to a Long-Term Playful Approach
This workshop shares the rationale behind a journey towards a long-term playful approach, including the first steps taken and the challenges encountered along the way, including two very different inspections. It explores how sustained, child-led play is prioritised while delivering a broad and balanced KS1 curriculum and securing strong academic outcomes for children.
Sarah Soyler
Headteacher, Woodgrange Infant School
Workshop D
Play with Purpose: The Power of Continuous Provision in KS1
This workshop explores the importance of play-based learning and continuous provision in KS1. It examines how purposeful play supports curiosity, independence, and early problem-solving skills, and how learning environments can be designed to promote meaningful, child-led learning closely linked to topic focus. Participants will gain insight into how these approaches strengthen key foundations across the curriculum and support children to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Lauren Arbour
KS1 and LKS2 Phase Lead, St Frideswide Primary School
Workshop E
Continuous Provision Throughout Reception and Key Stage 1 – The Practicalities
This workshop focuses on the practicalities of learning through play in KS1, including timetabling, planning, and ensuring National Curriculum coverage while supporting strong academic progress. It reflects on how both children and adults benefit when learning is accessed in a developmentally appropriate way.
Jane Godfrey
Year 1 Teacher and Continuous Provision Lead, St Michael’s CE VA Primary School
Workshop F
Embedding Play in Key Stage 1
This workshop explores how staff buy-in was secured for a significant change in practice. It looks at how biases and fears around play were addressed, how staff were supported to see the value of a play-based approach, and the role of outdoor play in this journey. The session reflects on the ongoing process of embedding play, leading to staff being fully engaged in the demanding but rewarding roles children need them to be.
Dana Dajani
Assistant Headteacher, Woodgrange Infant School
Conference Speakers
Professor Julie Fisher
Educational Consultant, Author & Researcher
Keynote: Continuing the Journey – Transforming Practice in KS1
Guiding us through the day is Professor Julie Fisher, author of Moving On to KS1 and a passionate advocate for raising the quality of educational experiences for all children. Julie will draw on her extensive research and experience to explore why change in KS1 is both necessary and transformative. She will highlight how schools are rethinking practice and provision, celebrating powerful journeys of change and offering inspiration and guidance for those at every stage of embedding continuous provision as a pedagogical approach.
Tina Farr
Primary Headteacher
St Ebbe’s Primary School
Keynote: Reframing Primary Schools: Leading with Play and Neuroscience in Mind
Tina is a passionate educator focused on transforming schools into systems where staff and children thrive. She is deeply interested in leadership, systems, play, and human motivation, and is driven by a belief that pedagogy should align with healthy child development and a strong sense of belonging.
Kate Brennan, Tanya Shah & Louise Bridge
AHTs for EYFS and Year 1 & Deputy Headteacher
Sandringham Primary School
Hosting: Play Beyond EYFS: A Journey to Developmentally Appropriate Practice
Kate and Tanya have jointly led the EYFS for the past ten years and, since 2023, have also overseen the development of developmentally appropriate practice in Year 1. Louise has been Deputy Headteacher since 2015, having previously led the EYFS. Together, they are committed to ensuring every child receives the strongest possible start to their school journey—one that extends well beyond the Reception year.
Jude Arkwright
Headteacher
St Michael’s CE VA Primary School
Hosting: Continuous Provision Throughout Reception and Key Stage 1 – A Head’s Perspective
Jude became Headteacher at St Michael’s in 2013 after many years of teaching in Year 1, Year 2, and the EYFS. She also works as a consultant headteacher for the Wiltshire School Effectiveness Team, supporting schools with a particular focus on EYFS and KS1. Her key passion is Early Years education and exploring how its principles can be successfully embedded in Years 1 and 2.
Sarah Soyler
Headteacher
Woodgrange Infant School
Hosting: Moving Beyond Transition to a Long-Term Playful Approach
Sarah has held leadership roles in Newham infant schools for 25 years. At Woodgrange, the journey towards a more playful approach began in 2017, when it became clear that a traditional model no longer met children’s needs. What started as a tentative step is now embedded in the school’s culture, with play underpinning everything they do.
Lauren Arbour
KS1 and LKS2 Phase Lead
St Frideswide Primary School
Hosting: Play with Purpose: The Power of Continuous Provision in KS1
Lauren began her career at St Frideswide Primary School as a Nursery Nurse while completing her teaching degree, developing a strong passion for early childhood education. She is now a KS1 Phase Lead and a committed advocate for play-based continuous provision, creating environments that inspire curiosity, confidence, and purposeful, child-led learning.
Jane Godfrey
Year 1 Teacher and Continuous Provision Lead
St Michael’s CE VA Primary School
Hosting: Continuous Provision Throughout Reception and Key Stage 1 – The Practicalities
Jane has taught at St Michael’s since 2018 and is passionate about children learning through play. She leads Early Reading and works with the Ramsbury English Hub supporting schools with phonics. Over the past six years, she has helped deliver showcases welcoming over 500 practitioners to share their KS1 continuous provision practice.
Dana Dajani
Assistant Headteacher
Woodgrange Infant School
Hosting: Embedding Play in Key Stage 1
Dana joined Woodgrange with a background in both primary schools and children’s centres. After returning from maternity leave, she experienced the school’s bold move to a playful approach and became immediately convinced of its value. She has since worked tirelessly to embed high-quality play and secure strong staff engagement.
Key Benefits
- Gain inspiring ideas to transform your KS1 provision and practice
- Deepen your understanding of the latest research and evidence
- Build valuable connections and networks with other leaders and KS1 teams
Audience
Senior Leadership Teams, KS1 Leaders, and KS1 Teachers
Lunch and refreshments are provided for this face-to-face conference.